Straight-edge



(No Model.)

0. T. RIDGELY & M. A. SMITH. STRAIGHT EDGE.

Patented Aug. 9, 1892.

changes.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES T. RIDGELY AND MARK A. SMITH, OF SPRINGFIELD, OHIO.

STRAlGHT-EDG E.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 480,516, dated August 9, 1892.

Application filed April 15, 1892- Serial No. 429,257. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, CHARLES T. RIDGELY and MARK A. SMITH, citizens of the United States, residing at Spriugfied, in the county of Clark and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Straight- Edges, of which the following is a specification.

Our invention relates to improvements in straight-edges; and the object of our invention is to provide an adjustable straight-edge especially adapted for the use of paper-hangers or for similar purposes where a straightedge of considerable length is required.

Our invention consists in the various constructions and combinations of parts hereinafter described, and pointed out in the claim.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a device embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is a plan view of aportion of the same. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing a slightly-modified form. Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail view showing a further modification.

Like parts are represented by similar letters of reference in the several views.

In the said drawings, or represents a straight bar of any suitable material, preferably wood. This bar may be formed of a single piece or may be glued up of various pieces, as desired, to prevent, as far as possible, springing or warping of the same from hygrometric At one side of the bar a is an auxiliary strip a, also preferably formed of wood, and connected at suitable intervals to the main bar a by connecting-screws a which pass through the said bar a and engage with the auxiliary bar a, either by means of an ordinary wood-screw, for the material of which the auxiliary bar a is composed is wood, or by a nut or other well-known means of attachment. To further provide for retaining the parts in their proper positions and to furnish means by which the same may be readily adjusted in order to straighten or true up the auxiliary bar a which forms the straight-edge proper, we provide between the respective bars a cushion a preferably of rubber, though the same result may be accomplished by the use of a coiled or other form of spring a.

When employed for trimming paper and straightening the edge thereof, we preferably provide the auxiliary bar a with a groove a as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, adapted to receive an engaging projection on the paper-cutter generally in use by paper-hangers for this purpose, though this may be dispensed with, if desired. By the construction as thus described we producea straight-edge which may be readily trued up by simply adjusting the connecting-screws a so as to tighten or loosen the auxiliary bar against the cushions a When once trued up, ordinary changes,which occur therein by hygrometric changes, can be compensated for by simply pressing the high points of the auxiliary bar inwardly against the cushions or springs without changing the adj usting-screws.

It is obvious that many modifications other than those shown and described may be employed without departing from the spirit of our invention. We have shown the springs or cushions threaded onto the connectingbolts, and this is the preferable way of using them, though it is obvious that they may be separated, if desired, means being provided for holding the cushions in their normal position.

Having thus described our invention, We claim A straight-edge consisting of a main bar and an auxiliary bar, said bars being connected together by adjustable fastening devices and interposed cushions, substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto set our hands this 11th day of April, A. D. 1892.

CHAS. T. RIDGELY. MARK A. SMITH. Witnesses:

JOHN L. PLUMMER, PAUL A. STALEY. 

